Paint roller cleaner

ABSTRACT

A paint roller cleaner having a frame for rollably supporting at least one roller applicator in an elongated central cavity formed therein so that it is free to rotate on its spindle about a horizontal axis. A water jet assembly is disposed along the length of the cavity immediately adjacent the roller applicator. A plurality of jets are carried on a horizontally disposed conduit in the assembly that are directed to discharge a water jet stream against the periphery of the roller applicator. A connector is detachably coupled to a portion of the conduit for supplying pressurized water to the jets.

United States Patent [191 Leggett PAINT ROLLER CLEANER [76] Inventor: Guy 0. Leggett, 25357 N. Via

Ramon, Valencia, Calif. 91355 [22] Filed: May 24, 1973 [21] Appl, No.: 363,550

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,159,380 7/1969 Great Britain 134/149 June 25, 1974' Primary Examiner-Daniel Blum Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Roger A. Marrs 5 7 ABSTRACT A paint roller cleaner having a frame for rollably supporting at least one roller applicator in an elongated central cavity formed therein so that it is free to rotate on its spindle about a horizontal axis. A water jet assembly is disposed along the length of the cavity immediately adjacent the roller applicator. A plurality of jets are carried on a horizontally disposed conduit in the assembly that are directed to discharge a water jet stream against the periphery of the roller applicator. A connector is detachably coupled to a portion of the conduit for supplying pressurized water to the jets.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEnJunzsnsm PAINT ROLLER CLEANER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to paint applicator cleaners and, more particularly, to a novel apparatus for spraying a forcible water stream into a tufted paint roller for diluting the paint accumulation thereon so that the undesired paint is separated from the tufts and drained from the roller.

2. Description of the Prior Art It has been the conventional practice for a homeowner or professional house painter to employ water soluble paint that is applied to the interior or exterior wall surfaces of a house by means of bristle brushes or tufted rollers. With respect to brushes, it is relatively convenient to clean the brush subsequent to a painting procedure by holding the brush by its handle and subjecting the bristles thereof to a discharging stream of faucet water. Since the brush type of paint applicator includes a handle in its construction, the use and control of the cleaning procedure is relatively simple since the user may easily direct or orient the paint saturated bristles under a faucet stream without encountering unnecessary splashing or spattering of paint. Furthermore, the users hand does not necessarily come into contact with the dirty paint water or the faucet stream.

However, with roller applicators, a tufted sleeve is removably mounted on a spindle which is rotatably carried by a handle. After a painting procedure, the roller sleeve is removed from the spindle and held under the water faucet for cleaning purposes. No handle is available for use by the painter and therefore, splashing, spattering and wetting of the users hands are a normal occurrence. The tufts or mat surface of the roller sleeve becomes inundated with water and it is the customary practice to remove the dirty water by squeezing or by draining the water from the tufts. Once the tufts are dried out, they are generally hard and require considerable reworking so as to place the roller in condition for applying paint again.

Therefore, a need has long existed to provide a device for holding at least one roller sleeve so that it is free to rotate while a forceful stream saturates its paint loaded tufts or mat surfaces for cleaning purposes. Such a device should have the capability of semi-drying the tuft or mat surface after removal of the undesired paint. Furthermore, means are desirable for thoroughly saturating the roller sleeve and for more efficiently separating the paint product from the tufts or bristles during the cleaning procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the problems and difficulties encountered with conventional procedures in cleaning paint rollers or sleeves are obviated by the present invention in which a frame having a central elongated opening is provided for movably supporting at least one paint roller. The roller sleeve is supported by its handle in said opening so as to rotate about a horizontal axis when forcibly engaged by impinging jet streams against its peripheral surface. Jet means are carried by an assembly on the frame which includes a plurality of jets for selectively directing the spray or forcible streams into engagement with the periphery of the roller. Coupling means are provided for detachably connecting the water jet assembly to a source of pressurized water and means are carried on the frame for detachably connecting with the handle of the roller to releasably mount the paint roller to the frame.

In one form of the invention, the roller need not be removed from its spindle and in this instance, adjustable means are provided on the frame to accommodate the handle of the paint roller so that the roller will rotate on its spindle when urged by the discharging water stream.

Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to provide a novel paint roller cleaning apparatus which employs a plurality of jet streams for saturating the tufts of the roller and thereby cleaning the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel paint roller cleaning apparatus that supports the roller handle in position so that a roller may rotate on a horizontal axis on its spindle in response to impingement of jet streams in the tufted peripheral area of the roller.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel cleaning apparatus for removably supporting paint rollers and which includes a frame having a central opening for supporting a jet stream device whereby the stream may be selectively directed against the tufted portion of the roller for forcible impingement therewith and whereby the rotary movement of the roller is at high speed for throwing off accumulated water through centrifugal action.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel paint roller applicator cleaner in which the rollers are mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis in response to impingement of forcible water jets against the tufted areas thereof so that the roller is thoroughly cleaned.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a novel paint roller cleaning apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the roller cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a water jet assembly employed in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the apparatus showing the water jet assembly extending the upper edge of the central opening in the frame; and

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the water jet assembly employing a plurality of jets in fixed vertical position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, the novel paint roller cleaning apparatus of the present invention is illustrated in the general direction of arrow 10 wherein like characters of reference denote like parts. In general, the apparatus includes a planar plate or frame 11 of substantially square configuration in plan view that is formed with an elongated central opening indicated in general by the numeral 12. The elongated opening is disposed substantially mid-way between the lower edge 13 and an upper edge 14 of the frame 11 and includes edge marginal regions 15 and 16 composing a part of frame 1 1 having opposing edges defining the opposite ends of opening 12. The frame further includes a deep cut-out portion 17 extending from upper edge 14 towards the central opening 12 and separated from the opening 12 by means of a frame marginal portion indicated by numeral 18. The cut-out portion is further provided with an elongated serrated or knurled strip 20 that extends substantially parallel to the central opening 12 and in fixed spaced relationship thereto. The frame marginal strip 18 supports a manually operated locking mechanism, indicated by numeral 21 that includes a slot 22 for slidably receiving a pivot screw 23. The frame marginal portion 16 serves to mount a hook or catch member 24 which cooperates with the adjustable locking mechanism 21 and the serrated strip 20 for mounting a paint roller, including its handle, for cleansing purposes.

The paint roller of conventional design includes a handle 25 connected to a tufted roller 26 for carrying paint by means of a wire or rod 27 that includes a U- shaped portion indicated in general by numeral 28 and which carries a spindle 29 on which the tufted roller 26 is carried.

The apparatus further includes a loosely mounted squeezing device taking the form of a wire mesh cylinder 30 carried by support rods 31 and 32 on opposite sides of the frame 11 by means of tabs 33 and 34. It is to be particularly noted that the tabs 33 and 34 include a resilient means, such as helical springs, indicated by numeral 35 in association with tab 34, whereby the wire mesh cylinder 30 may be rotated off center and in complete elongated contact with the tuft of the roller 26 during operation. The off center or off-set rotation of wire cylinder 30 permits mounting of the roller 26 to be off center whereby critical installation or mounting of the roller in the central opening is not required. In other words, the wire mesh cylinder 30 will be forcibly urged against the tufted roller even though the horizontal axis of rotation of the roller is off-set or uneven from the central longitudinal axis of the opening 12.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the apparatus of the present invention may be supported on a flat surface by means of a supporting rod 36 which is of U-shaped configuration and has its terminating end pivotally secured to a pair of tabs carried on opposite sides of the frame 11. When the rod 36 is pivoted outwardly from the frame, the apparatus may be supported on the surface via the rod and the lower edge 13 of the frame. It can also be seen that adjacent the upper edge 18 of the central opening 12, a water discharge tube 40 is mounted so that water discharging from a plurality of jets formed in tube 40 are directed downwardly in the direction of the opening 12. A source of pressurized water is attached to the tube 40 via a hose or other conduit 41.

Still referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the adjustable locking means 21 slides in a canted slot 22 so that a variety of different sized roller handles may be accommodated. Also, with reference in detail to FIG. 3, it can be seen that hook member 24 includes a slotted opening of two different sizes so as to accommodate at least two different sizes of handle rods 28. Therefore,

by means of the hook member 24 and of the sliding adjustment lock means 21, various size handles may be accommodated on the frame 11.

In further reference to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the water discharge from tube 40 impinges against the peripheral tufted area of the roller 26 so as to cause the roller to rotate on its spindle in the direction of the arrow indicated. Rotation of roller 26 drives the squeezing wire mesh 30 in the direction of its associated arrow so that the tufts are thoroughly cleansed of residue paint.

Referring now in detail to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the tube 40 includes a plurality of discharge jets, such as apertures indicated by numeral 44. The opposite end of the tube 40 are rotatably carried in tube sections 45 and 46. It is to be particularly noted that the tube section 46 includes a cut-out portion 47 terminating at its opposite ends in a stop 48. By this means, the tube 40 may be slightly rotated so as to direct the discharge apertures 44 at a desired location on the peripheral edge of a roller. It is to be understood that rollers of different diameters may be cleansed by the apparatus and, therefore, it is advantageous to rotate tube 40 so that its discharge apertures will accommodate larger diameter rollers. A locking screw 50 cooperate with the tube 40 and the stop 48 so as to provide limited rotation of the tube within the tube sections 45 and 46.

As shown in FIG. 5, vertical water tubes 51 are included at the opposite ends of the tube 40 and these vertical tubes include discharge jets 52 for issuing a pressurized stream at different portions of the tufted roller 26 than the discharged jets 44. Also, FIG. 5 more clearly illustrates the limited rotation of less than l of tube 40 within the confines of the stop 48 separated by the reduced portion 47. The stop screw 50 will abut against the shoulders of the reduced portion for stopping rotational movement of tube 40.

In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the novel paint roller cleaner apparatus of the present invention provides a novel structure for washing, cleansing and rinsing a tufted paint roller. The roller is attached to the frame 11 by placing the rod 27 adjacent the serrated edge 20 whereby the longitudinal axis of the roller 26 rests substantially on the central longitudinal axis of the opening 12. Portion 16 of the rod is positioned within the hook member 24 while the lock mechanism 21 is slid through slot 22 into engagement with the rod 27. The knob 23 is tightened against the rod to restrain and retain the paint roller on the frame 11.

The wire mesh roller or sleeve 30 is resiliently biased against the tufted surface of the roller 26 by means of the resilient springs carried on the attachment pieces connected with lugs 33 and 34, respectively. As pressurized water is supplied to the tube 40, jet streams issue from apertures or jets 44 and S2 to saturate the roller. Also, the roller 26 is caused to spin on its spindle so that the dirty water including the paint is thrown from the surface of the roller. Inasmuch as the roller turns in a clock-wise direction, the dirty residue will splash against the back side of panel 11 and run down onto the supporting surface for ready disposal by a hose or other suitable washing techniques.

While particular embodiments of the present inven' tion have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device for cleaning paint roller carried on a paint applicator, the combination comprising:

a flat frame having an elongated central opening located mid-way between its top and bottom edges;

means carried on one surface of said frame for releasable grasping and retaining the handle of the roller applicator while the tufted roller is cantilevered within said frame opening so as to free rotate upon its own spindle;

squeezing means resiliently biased on said frame to forcibly engage the tufted periphery of the roller and the tufted roller being in driving relationship to said squeezing means;

a support rod of U-shaped configuration pivotally carried at one end to said frame adjacent said top edge thereof; and

water discharge means having a plurality of discharge jets carried on said frame across the top of said central opening for directing a sheet of water against the periphery of the paint roller to one side of the axis of rotation thereof whereby the sheet of water washes paint from the roller applicator and also causes it to rotate at high speed.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said releasable means includes:

a hook member secured to said frame adjacent one end of said central opening;

adjustable locking means movably carried on said frame immediately above said central opening;

a serrated bar carried on said frame parallel to said elongated central opening in fixed relationship to the top edge of said central opening; and whereby the rod handle of the paint applicator is insertably received by said hook member and said locking means and said locking means bears the rod handle against said serrated bar.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 where said squeezing means includes:

a cylindrical sleeve of wire mesh rotatably carried on said frame and resilient means normally biasing said sleeve into driven engagement with the paint roller.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 including:

mounting means for said sleeve permitting offset rotation thereof with respect to the axis of rotation of the roller.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said water discharge means includes:

a tube rotatably carried on the back of said frame immediately adjacent the top edge of said central opening;

means cooperatively disposed between said frame and said tube for limiting rotation of said tube to less than of rotation.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 including:

a vertical tube carried at each end of said first mentioned tube and jets carried on said vertical tube for directing a water stream onto the ends of the roller.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 including:

coupling means carried by said first mentioned tube for detachably connecting with a source of pressurized water. 

1. In a device for cleaning paint roller carried on a paint applicator, the combination comprising: a flat frame having an elongated central opening located mid-way between its top and bottom edges; means carried on one surface of said frame for releasable grasping and retaining the handle of the roller applicator while the tufted roller is cantilevered within said frame opening so as to free rotate upon its own spindle; squeezing means resiliently biased on said frame to forcibly engage the tufted periphery of the roller and the tufted roller being in driving relationship to said squeezing means; a support rod of U-shaped configuration pivotally carried at one end to said frame adjacent said top edge thereof; and water discharge means having a plurality of discharge jets carried on said frame across the top of said central opening for directing a sheet of water against the periphery of the paint roller to one side of the axis of rotation thereof whereby the sheet of water washes paint from the roller applicator and also causes it to rotate at high speed.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said releasable means includes: a hook member secured to said frame Adjacent one end of said central opening; adjustable locking means movably carried on said frame immediately above said central opening; a serrated bar carried on said frame parallel to said elongated central opening in fixed relationship to the top edge of said central opening; and whereby the rod handle of the paint applicator is insertably received by said hook member and said locking means and said locking means bears the rod handle against said serrated bar.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 where said squeezing means includes: a cylindrical sleeve of wire mesh rotatably carried on said frame and resilient means normally biasing said sleeve into driven engagement with the paint roller.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 including: mounting means for said sleeve permitting offset rotation thereof with respect to the axis of rotation of the roller.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said water discharge means includes: a tube rotatably carried on the back of said frame immediately adjacent the top edge of said central opening; means cooperatively disposed between said frame and said tube for limiting rotation of said tube to less than 180* of rotation.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 5 including: a vertical tube carried at each end of said first mentioned tube and jets carried on said vertical tube for directing a water stream onto the ends of the roller.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 6 including: coupling means carried by said first mentioned tube for detachably connecting with a source of pressurized water. 